Half a century on and drama group has spotlight on future (From Cotswold Journal)

Half a century on and drama group has spotlight on future

HALFWAY through my speech as middle-aged Doreen in Alan Bennett's A Talk in the Park, I realised I was doing a Julie Walters impression - not a bad thing of course, but it made me want to make a blushing exit from the stage of the Townsend Hall in Shipston.

I was taking part in one of Shipston Dramatic Society's new drama workshops - an innovation for the group and an act that is proving very popular with budding thespians and, indeed, anyone interested in the stage.

Having notched up a half century of entertainment in the town, the society now has its spotlights trained on the future.

Following their successful golden anniversary year, which saw a celebration review - Give My Regards to Sheep Street - and a lavish production of The Rivals, the society is looking to expand and wants new members of all ages, whether they want to tread the boards or turn an artistic streak into making scenery or costumes or posters. Or just join in the general fun.

This group really know how to enjoy themselves. They don't just do interval coffee and biscuits - they do coffee and chocolate biscuits.

This bodes very well for their current work in progress - a comedy double bill of Knightsbridge by John Mortimer, a comedy of manners, and Strawberry Jam by Bruce Fisk, which is a farce with some macabre overtones belying its innocent sounding title.

Directed by John Packham, both plays are set in the 1960s and the production is staying true to that. It is being staged at the Townsend Hall in Sheep Street, Shipston, on May 11, 12 and 13, with admission £5 adults and £3 concessions. Tickets are available from Wyntors in the High Street or on the door.

The society is a busy one, with two major productions a year plus a pantomime which always goes down well.

Chairman Paul Leadbeater said: "We do the panto for the children, but we've noticed there are always more adults in the audience.

"We've just celebrated 50 years and, while we've got more than 40 members, we'd like to get more people involved. Shipston is growing all the time, with new houses being built and new families and people moving in.

"Newcomers may not have a great deal of experience and may not want to get on stage, but there is plenty more they can do - help with scenery or costumes if they have an artistic streak, or simply enjoy the social side of things."

The group has just started a series of drama workshops for members - and newcomers - to brush up their skills or have a go at acting. Held every six weeks, the courses range from improvisation and studying text and characters, to voice coaching, comedy and stage awareness, and audition skills. There is even one workshop devoted to Shakespeare theory. The Bard up the road in Stratford would no doubt have approved.

Shipston Drama Society was actually formed back in the 1930s, but broke up when the Second World War began and was not revived until 1955.

When the Townsend Hall was built in the 1960s, the society was quick off the mark to move in and it has been based there ever since.

The oldest member is the president Mary Perks, aged 81, who was one of the five amdram fans who reformed it back in the Fifties.

Anyone interested in joining the society, at a cost of £10 a year, can attend the AGM at the White Bear in Shipston on May 31 at 7.30pm, or call Paul Leadbeater on 01608 662703, or secretary Helen Morgan on 01608 663492.